Easy Korean Banana Milk

Last Updated:

October 20, 2025

If you’ve ever strolled through a Korean convenience store or watched a K-drama, chances are you’ve seen the adorable pastel bottles of banana milk. Sweet, creamy, and perfectly nostalgic, Easy Korean Banana Milk has become a global sensation. But here’s the best part: you don’t need a plane ticket to Seoul or a specialty store to enjoy it. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make it at home in under 10 minutes.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making Easy Korean Banana Milk at home, from the recipe itself to fun variations, nutritional tips, and even why this drink became such a cultural icon.

Contents

What is Korean banana milk?

Korean banana milk, or “bananauyu” (바나나우유), is a flavored milk drink that first launched in South Korea in 1974 by Binggrae. It was initially created to encourage children to drink more milk at a time when Korea was facing nutritional shortages. Today, it’s a staple in Korean supermarkets and convenience stores, selling more than 800 million bottles annually.

The drink is known for its mild sweetness, light banana flavor, and smooth texture. It’s not as heavy as a milkshake but far more indulgent than plain milk, making it the perfect in-between treat.

Fun fact: Banana milk has become such a beloved drink in Korea that it’s often used as a cultural symbol, popping up in K-dramas, Korean variety shows, and even airport duty-free shops.

Why you’ll love making it at home

Sure, the store-bought version is iconic, but making Easy Korean Banana Milk at home has some real perks:

Fewer additives – No preservatives or artificial coloring.
Customizable sweetness – Add more or less sugar depending on your taste.
Budget-friendly – Store-bought bottles may cost $2-$3 each, but homemade versions come out to cents per serving.
Fresh bananas – You get that real fruit flavor that’s even better than the packaged version.

Pro Tip: Homemade banana milk is also a great way to use up those slightly overripe bananas sitting on your counter.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here’s the beauty of this recipe: it’s as simple as it gets. For 2 servings, gather:

2 ripe bananas (medium-sized)
2 cups milk (whole milk for creaminess, but oat or almond milk works too)
2–3 teaspoons sugar, honey, or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional, but adds depth)
Ice cubes (optional, for a chilled version)

That’s it! Five ingredients, one blender, and you’re ready to sip.

Step-by-step instructions

Making Easy Korean Banana Milk at home is quick, foolproof, and honestly kind of fun. With just a blender and a few ingredients, you’ll have a drink that tastes like it came straight out of a Korean convenience store. Let’s go through it slowly so you get the perfect texture and flavor every time.

Step 1: Prepare your bananas

Start with two medium-sized ripe bananas. Peel them and cut them into small chunks before adding them to the blender. The ripeness of your bananas really matters here:

Yellow with a few brown spots – Best choice. Naturally sweet, soft, and easy to blend.
Bright yellow – Slightly firmer and less sweet, so you may need to add a little extra sugar or honey.
Overripe with lots of brown spots – Perfect for maximum sweetness, but the flavor will be stronger.

Pro Tip: If you want a thicker and colder drink, use bananas that you’ve sliced and frozen overnight. Frozen bananas make the milkshake-like version without needing ice cream.

Step 2: Blend everything together

Place your banana chunks into the blender. Add:

2 cups of milk (whole milk gives the most authentic creamy flavor, but oat milk and almond milk also work beautifully)
2–3 teaspoons of your chosen sweetener (sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (this enhances the banana flavor and gives that nostalgic “store-bought” vibe)

Blend on medium-high speed for about 30–45 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth. If you see banana chunks sticking to the sides of the blender, stop, scrape them down, and blend again.

What you’re looking for is a silky, frothy texture. It should pour easily but still feel creamy on your tongue.

Step 3: Taste and adjust

Before you pour it out, give your banana milk a quick taste test. This is your chance to customize it:

Too thick? Add a splash more milk and blend again for 10 seconds.
Not sweet enough? Drizzle in a little extra honey or sugar, then blend once more.
Want it extra smooth? Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to strain out the pulp. This gives you a thinner, velvety drink, similar to the Binggrae bottles.

Pro Tip: If you love café-style drinks, try frothing a small amount of milk separately and pouring it on top for a fun layered effect.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy

Pour your freshly blended banana milk into a chilled glass, mason jar, or even a reusable bottle if you’re taking it on the go. For an extra refreshing twist, add a handful of ice cubes before pouring in the milk.

To really replicate the Korean convenience store vibe, serve your drink in a round glass bottle or a small carton-style cup. Not only does it look cute, but it also keeps the drink colder for longer.

Optional finishing touches:

Dust the top lightly with cinnamon or cocoa powder for a flavor upgrade.
Add boba pearls to turn it into a banana milk bubble tea.
Garnish with a banana slice on the rim of your glass for a photo-ready finish.

And that’s it! In just under 5 minutes, you’ve created your very own Easy Korean Banana Milk. Creamy, sweet, refreshing, and customizable to your taste. Once you try it, you may find yourself blending up a batch every time you have bananas on the counter.

Variations to try

The classic version is always a win, but here are some creative twists to make your banana milk even more exciting:

Matcha Banana Milk – Add 1 teaspoon of matcha powder for a gentle caffeine boost.
Strawberry Banana Milk – Blend in 2–3 fresh strawberries for a fruity twist.
Protein Banana Milk – Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder for a post-workout shake.
Vegan Banana Milk – Use oat or almond milk and swap honey for maple syrup.
Cinnamon Banana Milk – Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon for cozy vibes.

Pro Tip: If you want a texture closer to the store-bought Korean banana milk, strain your blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp and make it extra smooth.

The cultural obsession with banana milk

Why is banana milk such a big deal in Korea?

Nostalgia factor: For many Koreans, banana milk is tied to childhood memories. The little bottle shape alone sparks nostalgia.
Pop culture presence: It regularly appears in K-dramas and K-pop content, making fans outside of Korea curious to try it.
Export popularity: As of 2022, banana milk exports reached nearly $40 million globally, showing just how much the drink has traveled beyond Korean borders.

This simple drink has become more than just a beverage, it’s a cultural icon that represents comfort, fun, and Korean innovation in food.

Nutrition breakdown

Homemade banana milk can be as healthy or indulgent as you want it to be. Let’s break it down per serving (using whole milk and honey):

Calories: ~160
Protein: 5g
Carbs: 27g
Sugar: 18g (varies depending on sweetener)
Potassium: ~400mg (thanks to bananas!)

Bananas are naturally rich in potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, making this drink not only tasty but also nourishing. Plus, if you use plant-based milk, you can easily make this vegan-friendly.

Pro Tip: Want to cut down on sugar? Skip the sweetener altogether and let your ripe bananas do the work.

Pairing ideas

Not sure when to enjoy your homemade banana milk? Here are some pairing suggestions:

Breakfast: Serve with avocado toast or overnight oats.
Snack time: Pair with a handful of almonds or granola bars.
Dessert: Use it as a base for chia pudding or as a light milkshake alternative.

How to store banana milk

Freshly made banana milk tastes best right away, but you can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours in a sealed container. After that, it may start to separate or discolor. If separation occurs, just give it a quick shake before drinking.

Where to find store-bought Korean banana milk

If you want to compare your homemade version with the original, you can find the iconic Binggrae Banana Flavored Milk at many Asian supermarkets, or online through sites like H Mart or Amazon. But trust me, once you try the homemade version, you may not go back.

FAQs

Is Korean banana milk healthy?

Homemade versions are definitely healthier since you control the sugar and use fresh bananas. Store-bought versions often contain additives and higher sugar.

Can I make banana milk without a blender?

Yes! Mash the bananas with a fork until smooth, then whisk into the milk. It won’t be as silky, but it works in a pinch.

Can I use frozen bananas?

Absolutely. Frozen bananas make the milk extra creamy and cold, like a milkshake.

How do I make it taste like the store-bought version?

Strain your mixture after blending and use whole milk with a bit of vanilla and sugar to replicate the classic smoothness.

Can kids drink banana milk?

Yes, it’s a kid-friendly drink. In fact, that’s why it became popular in Korea in the first place.

Final thoughts

There’s something magical about the simplicity of Easy Korean Banana Milk. It’s quick, inexpensive, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re chasing K-drama nostalgia, looking for a healthy snack, or just want a refreshing twist on regular milk, this recipe is one you’ll want to bookmark.

So next time you have ripe bananas on hand, skip the banana bread and whip up a glass of this creamy, dreamy drink instead. Your taste buds (and maybe your Instagram feed) will thank you.